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Tellure (Te): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons

Tellure is element number 52, a metalloid in group 16, period 5. Its atom has 52 protons, 78 neutrons and 52 electrons arranged in 5 shells: 2, 8, 18, 18, 6.

52 p⁺ · 78 n⁰
Bohr model of tellurium: 52 protons (red) and 78 neutrons (blue) in the nucleus, 52 electrons (gold) in shells 2, 8, 18, 18, 6.

Protons, neutrons and electrons in tellurium

Le atomic number of tellurium is 52, so every tellurium atom has 52 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 52. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For tellurium-130, that is 130 − 52 = 78 neutrons. Tellurium has 8 stable isotopes, with 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78 neutrons.

How to draw the Bohr model of tellurium

  1. Draw the nucleus and write 52 p⁺ et 78 n⁰ inside it.
  2. Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
  3. Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
  4. Draw the third shell and put 18 electrons on it.
  5. Draw the fourth shell and put 18 electrons on it.
  6. Draw the fifth shell and put 6 electrons on it.
  7. Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 6 = 52 electrons, the same as the number of protons.

From potassium onwards the shells don’t simply fill as 2, 8, 8: the fourth shell starts before the third is full, so the real arrangement above (2, 8, 18, 18, 6) is the one to draw.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of tellurium is [Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁴. Its 6 outer electrons decide how it reacts: it tends to gain 2 more, forming Te²⁻ ions.

Key facts about tellurium

SymbolTe
Atomic number52
Relative atomic mass127.6
Group · period · blockgroup 16 · period 5 · p-block
TypeMétalloïde
State at 25 °Csolid
Couches électroniques2, 8, 18, 18, 6
Electron configuration[Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁴
Électrons de valence6
Common ionTe²⁻
Electronegativity (Pauling)2.10
First ionisation energy9.01 eV (869 kJ/mol)
Atomic radius (empirical)140 pm

Où tellurium sits on the periodic table

Foire aux questions

How many protons, neutrons and electrons does tellurium have?

Tellurium has 52 protons and 52 electrons (atomic number 52). Its most common isotope, tellurium-130, has 130 − 52 = 78 neutrons.

What is the electron configuration of tellurium?

[Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁴. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 18, 6.

How many valence electrons does tellurium have?

6. Tellurium is in group 16, and its outer shell holds 6 electrons.

Where is tellurium on the periodic table?

In group 16, period 5, in the p-block. It is a metalloid.

Explorer tellurium in 3D Build atoms in the Atom Builder